Severe Thunderstorm Watch In 17 New Jersey Counties

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for 17 New Jersey counties on Monday.

The NWS said the primary hazard with thunderstorms could be damaging winds and heavy rainfall, resulting in poor-drainage flooding.

The watch impacts the following counties: Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.

The watch is in effect from 12:45 to 8 p.m., according to the NWS.

The NWS also issued excessive heat warnings for all New Jersey, where temperatures could approach 100 degrees on Monday and Tuesday.

"Thunderstorms will sweep across New England and the mid-Atlantic into Monday evening, and the strongest storms can bring damaging winds and torrential downpours," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Andy Mussoline said in an AccuWeather release.

The downpours will reduce visibility and force outdoor activities indoors but will provide needed rainfall as drought continues to plague a large part of the region, according to AccuWeather.

Here is the forecast:

Monday afternoon: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 p.m. Some of the storms could be severe. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 103. West wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 10 p.m. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph.